Now for one more thing to do to add to your "Arsenal" of confusion: :biggrin:
On about my 10th pen 13 full years ago, I got me a foot long (maybe 18 inches) of a plain pine 2X4 and cut it down to about 20 or so pen size blanks. I had purchased about 3 dozen slimline pen tubes. I decided to "Practice" my turning and my CA application and sanding.
I was determined to learn how to apply a finish. Previous to that, I made one pen that turned well, then 3 or 4 that did NOT; then another that did. What is going on? I asked. So I decided to learn buy trying, and trying and trying - and i discovered what worked for me.
There are minute' problems that arise when following one recipe from someone in a dry environment that is hot as hades, and someone else in an area that has 60 to 80% humidity year round, and those that have a swing of temps and swing of humidity on a weekly basis. I am here to tell you the effects of those wide swings DOES create differences in applying for and achieving high end finishes.
SO, back to trying for yourself. With all those blanks and tubes, it was NOT my purpose to make a pen. It was my purpose to practice and repeat; practice and repeat. I spent about 8 to 10 hours turning a blank, applying CA and sanding. I personally never start under 400 grit. I know one fellow that does not start under 600 grit.
A hint on what I mentioned above: I have lived in dry and humid, hot and cold, and CA and other finishes behave differently in different situations. It is not usually the brand per se (but can be, along with old CA), but the humidity and temp. Below 75° in general CA is slower to cure and white spots appear more. Humidity and wet sanding factors in too for those white spot conditions, but not so much in hot dry desert areas.
So cut some blanks from old boards and spend a day practicing and see what works for you.
As to sandpaper, One other fellow here (Probably several) will tell you to practice with your skew (or for those like me) practice with your scraper. Sharpen them GOOD! A well sharpened skew or scraper will leave your blank so smooth that you don't need to sand it. I'm NOT kidding!
Learn to measure the sizing with calipers, not by the bushings. Bushings wear down QUICK and are unreliable as to size. So, size by measuring with calipers and use your sharp tool to get it smooth as possible. Then practice with CA. When I have lumps in the CA, I smooth it down with the scraper and then start with 400 or 600 sandpaper, or start off with Micro Mesh on the CA.
Pens are not huge flat boards, they don't need to be traumatized with 180 and 220 grit sandpaper scratches. That is what the tool - skew, scraper or carbide insert - is for.
:biggrin:
